[...] It is a very great relief to me to hear that you are satisfied with Natalie. God grant it may so continue! Give her greetings from me and tell her she must go on doing well and I for my part will then faithfully carry out my promise to her.—
It is just what I might have expected that you have been using your interest to get my pardon and it would be almost an insult to thank you for it. Only this much then—do not build on it too much! All the same I herewith enclose the answer to your questions; make what use you like of it. I for my part believe that only Prussia can help me and should almost prefer it that way. They can allow me to go there in spite of King Johann, and if he remains obdurate, I have already made up my mind what to do to achieve my end. [...]
Source: Letters of Richard Wagner, Vol. 2, selected and ed. Wilhelm Altmann, trans. M. M. Bozman (J. M. Dent & Sons, 1927), No. 378